The Punjab State Food Commission in a meeting held here today held marathon deliberations on further easing and simplifying the ration distribution process. It was brought to the notice of the Chairman of the Commission Mr. Bal Mukand Sharma by Members Vijay Dutt and Chetan Parkash Dhaliwal that during their tour of various Districts the depot holders brought to their attention that as the State Government the beneficiaries with a 3 Month wheat allocation at one time, the e-POS Machines require generation of separate transaction slips for each month.
In addition, a separate slip is also generated for the disbursal of food kits under the MERI RASOI scheme. Consequently, a total of four slips are generated for each beneficiary. This means three separate slips for three months' wheat allocation and one slip for Meri Rasoi scheme leading to 4 slips for a single beneficiary which takes 20-25 minutes per beneficiary resulting in long queues outside the Fair Price Shops and increase of workload on the dealers and their staff.
The depot holders have suggested that with a view to bring more efficiency and save time, a single slip covering the entire period of three months' ration entitlement may be generated in a single transaction. Additionally, the Meri Rasoi scheme distribution may also be integrated with the same process.
Besides, another difficulty encountered by the beneficiaries pertains to the generation of slips in English. Since many beneficiaries cannot understand English, therefore the slips should be generated in three languages i.e. Punjabi, Hindi and English.
Deliberating comprehensively on the above said matter, the Commission decided to write to the Secretary, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department in the form of an advisory for Redressal of the issue. Likewise, it was also decided to advice the Social Security, Women and Child Development Department with regard to ensuring the quality and timely supply of dry ration to Anganwadis at Fazilka, Ferozepur and Hoshiarpur by an NGO.